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Sleepy Weekends, Thinner Kids
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Go ahead and let your children sleep in on weekends. It may help them avoid unhealthy weight gain, according to a 12-month study in the journal Pediatrics. Researchers found that kids who sleep in specifically on weekends and holidays tend to gain less weight than those who rise early.
Other studies have shown that the less sleep kids (and adults) get, the more likely they are to pack on the pounds. According to the report, pre-pubescent children need about 10 hours (and even more for the youngest tykes).
The consequences of too little sleep are serious. In addition to an increased likelihood of obesity, the researchers note that “an irregular sleep-wake schedule and insufficient sleep among school-aged children and adolescents has been documented with a variety of serious repercussions, including increased daytime sleepiness, academic difficulties, and mood and behavioral problems.”
The take-home advice: Try to get the whole family to sleep at a decent hour during the week, and spend a little extra time in bed on the weekends. Your body and your kids will thank you for it.
About The Author
David Schipper – David began writing for CorePerformance.com in 2008, after spending six years at Men's Health magazine digging up the newest scientific research in health, weight loss, nutrition, muscle and cardiovascular fitness.
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